[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[131.] Run, run, blood.

NOTE:

Inspiration for this chapter's title  -  one of my all-time favorite sex songs!  

Phantogram  -  "Run Run Blood"

****

Lan Xichen chose a random room that was not being renovated, and settled in, turning it into a temporary study. He bit his lip; he craved once again for his husband to sit into him, close to him, watching him work, hugging him, snuggling into him for warmth. He missed this terribly. Despite all the lovemaking at night, in reality the two of them had spent very little time together in the last month or so.

He was pouring over some construction plans together with Wei Wuxian when a servant hurriedly knocked and barged in, panting:

- Zewu-Jun! Forgive me, Master! Master Lan Qiren is here to see you! He has just arrived!

Lan Xichen frowned.

- Let him wait in the Guest Hall. Serve tea!

The servant ran back, and Wei Ying grinned:

- Well, well, Zewu-Jun, the old devil has finally found you! I am curious what he wants now!

- Nothing good, for sure.  –   he mumbled.  –   Trouble seems to find us easily lately...  -   he said thoughtfully, but then gasped and exhaled gently:

- Wanyin...

- He is going to be fine. Zewu-Jun, he is the Clan Leader now. He is stronger than you think.  –  Wei Wuxian mumbled.

***

- Zewu-Jun, how nice  of you to join me!  –   Lan Qiren said sarcastically.

He had been waiting all alone for too long, fuming – all the mess his nephews had made was more than exasperating, and cost lives. He totally ignored Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, of course. He had no reason to consider the Yunmeng Jiang Clan any more, and although both of them bowed low to him, greeting respectfully, he just squinted his eyes and huffed.

- Good day, Uncle. It is quite a surprise to see you so far from home.  –   Lan Xichen said coldly, but still very politely.

- Well, Nephew, I hope you don't ban me from this estate too!  –   he grunted, sipping on his tea, his face frozen in contempt.

- Uncle, I hope you will remember that I was forced   to.  –  Lan Xichen did not back down.

They did not wait for a returned greeting on his part any more and sat down. Jiang Cheng tried to sit next to his husband at the low table, but Lan Huan made a point, and confidently and stubbornly pulled him in his arms, and in a way forced him to sit in him again. Wei Wuxian was having fun, watching old Master Lan's face get redder and redder with anger and indignation at this.

Sandu Shengshou was still very pale and barely paid attention. He had to be there, as an obligation and formality, but he really preferred being in bed right now. He was thankful for the confident strong arms around him; he knew very well that Zewu-Jun was doing it for him, supporting him, both physically and psychologically. Lan Xichen had found him in the garden, and had taken his time, making his Uncle wait, to calm him down, wipe his tears away, hold him tight and kiss him, until he could talk again, until he could walk again.

- So, I went to the Cloud Recesses, despite all.   –  Lan Qiren said angrily.  –  Imagine my surprise to find it empty!

- Whoa! Empty?  –   Wei Wuxian exclaimed with a crooked smile on his lips.  –   I wonder where that reckless, foolish, absent-minded, non-diligent, empty-headed  husband of mine has wandered off to this time!!!

The incinerating glare this sentence earned him from the old Master just made his smile wider and merrier. Lan Xichen held his husband a little tighter, but still with care, gently. Jiang Wanyin leaned his head against his chest, motionless and silent. 

Lan Qiren noticed this.

- So, Sandu Shengshou, are you happy with your decisions now? The influence you have over Zewu-Jun? The two of you squandered years of hard work and negotiations! Now everyone is dead! I hope you are happy! Now you two can be free... Finally! You don't even need to act on my behalf  –    this marriage can be over. It is quite pointless now!

Breathless, Jiang Cheng's large eyes filled with tears, and he lifted them up to stare at Lan Xichen's face.

- Huan...?   –   he whispered weakly.

Lan Xichen was angry, flushed, and it was soon going to show, but Wei Wuxian was faster, and yelled now, his mood turning too quickly:

- Master Lan, I think you should be more respectful towards your Clan Leader!  If you don't want to do it for love of your own flesh and blood - your own nephews!  –   then do it for the future Young Clan Leader, the heir of the damned  Gusu Clan! Your own grandson! Damn goddammit!!!

He kicked the table, spilling the tea and smashing the porcelain, and stormed out of the room, infuriated.

Jiang Cheng clung to his husband's body, listening to his heart beating madly, feeling his chest heaving with indignation. He didn't want to see anything any more, nor listen to anything at all any more. He now heard Zewu-Jun's low voice speak menacingly; it made him shiver – that voice shook him to his core again.

- Uncle, how little you know me. How quickly you have forgotten. We were insulted in our own House. We were assaulted in our sleep, we almost burned alive. We lost a child. All due to your years of hard work and negotiations.  –   he growled.

Lan Qiren was gaping at him, pale and speechless. He didn't quite understand.

- What...   -  he spoke weakly.

- I didn't declare an open war, only because of my love for my husband, even so risking losing the respect of my own people. I tolerated your behavior towards me... treating me like a child still. Still! I am even welcoming you right now, in my home, treating you with respect... What do you show in return, dear Uncle? Telling me to annul my marriage? Blaming my husband for a war he had no participation in? Questioning the Chief Cultivator's authority? Ah... my brother's authority? My authority?!?

Lan Huan laughed, briefly and bitterly, shaking his head in disbelief.

- My love, let's go. Let's leave.  –   he turned towards Jiang Cheng, helping him up. They were indeed leaving, but Lan Xichen turned back one last time, saying coldly:

- Feel free to stay as long as you wish, Uncle. My home will always be your home too. But I don't want to see your face ever again. And leave my husband alone. I am serious. I will protect my family at any and all costs.